As the Big Lap becomes ever more popular, grey nomads are having to put up with an ever greater number of sometimes bizarre challenges.
As the competition for sites at popular locations heats up, particularly during peak periods, there are increasing instances of people ‘staking out’ sites days in advance of their actual arrival in order to ensure no one else nabs the spot.
And then there are the campsite ‘spreaders’ who simply expand their camping areas with the help of all manner of annexes, awnings, chairs, tents, tables, tents, bikes, and barbecues.
And the rise of the ghost camping phenomenon has been well documented. The practice whereby people book a campsite well in advance and then, for one reason or another, don’t turn up and don’t cancel has been on the rise.
‘Cling-wrap clowns’ try to stop others from using picnic shelters by wrapping them up. PIC: Cizza
In Victoria, where camping at national parks is free this summer, meaning there is no financial incentive for people to cancel if plans change, the problem is particularly acute.
Over Christmas, many normally packed-out campsites were left half empty. Gippsland East MP, Tim Bull, told the Victorian State Parliament that he had heard of people booking several sites around them under different names to ensure they didn’t have any campsite neighbours.
And, if that sort of behaviour doesn’t seem unbelievable enough, it appears that soon grey nomads may be coming face to face with a new scourge … the ‘cling-wrap clowns’.
In Wollongong on the NSW South Coast, the local council has been forced to take the extraordinary step of putting up signs warning people not to try to reserve public spaces by wrapping cling film around them!
Apparently, people have taken to wrapping up cabanas and picnic benches to deter others from using them. With Easter coming up, there are fears this sort of activity could surge again. Wollongong Mayor, Tania Brown, told the Grey Nomads it was understandable people wanted to enjoy the facilities … but there were some no-nos.
“As they are in shared public spaces, the use of cling wrap, or any other material, to cordon off or ‘reserve’ spots like beach huts and barbecue picnic tables is prohibited,” she said.
Ms Brown said it was extremely unfortunate the council had had to erect signage to remind people that this sort of behaviour was not on.
So, as camping numbers continue to grow, and with Easter around the corner, how long will it be before cling wrap starts appearing around in-demand camping spots?
WIN A DOUBLE PASS TO HISTORIC WINTON
Grey Nomad members are being given the chance to win one of two double passes for the 48th Historic Winton to be held May 24-25 at Winton Motor Raceway in Victoria. The fabulous event promises two full days of historic car racing and vehicle displays of the elegant, the rustic, the weird and wacky. Both double passes (each valued at $170) offer entry for two people for both days. Camping is available at the event.
Click here to learn about Historic Winton, our competition, and how to enter.
Members: If you wish to enter, please click here.
